Catty caddie? Victory dance draws mixed reaction

JOHNS CREEK, Georgia - Tiger Woods' former caddie drew a mixed reaction to the way he gloated over his new boss' first victory with him on the bag.

Some understood Steve Williams' frustration after being dumped by Woods. Others thought the caddie went overboard in his comments to the media, taking attention away from the guy who actually won the World Golf Championship at Firestone, Adam Scott.

Adam Scott wins Bridgestone with Woods' ex-caddie

The crowd chanted Williams' name as he walked up to the 18th green with Scott, who pulled away for a four-stroke victory. Afterward, Williams gave an interview that was nearly twice as long as the Aussie's, calling it "the best win I've ever had" — remember, he caddied for 13 of Woods' major titles — and making it clear he felt his ex-boss had treated him unfairly.

Steve Stricker said Monday that Williams was clearly upset and eager to let his feelings out after the acrimonious split.

"I'm not going to say if he went overboard or not," Stricker said after a practice round for the final major of the year, the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club. "It's just too bad their relationship had to end like that."

A pair of English golfers, who weren't at Firestone but watched the tournament on television, both went on Twitter to take shots at Williams.

"Cannot believe they have interviewed Steve Williams. Nice of him to take away from Scotty's win. Says it all," Chris Wood wrote.

Oliver Wilson chimed in, "Steve Williams taken all the attention off Adam scotts fantastic win! Played great and nobody is talking about him this morning!!!" He added a hash tag to his tweet with the word "shameful."

For his part, Williams admitted on Tuesday that his reaction may have been inappropriate.

"Looking back on it, I was a bit over the top," he told FOXSports.com from Atlanta, where he and Scott were getting ready for the PGA Championship.

"I had a lot of anger in me about what happened (with Woods) and it all came out."

CBSSports.com columnist Gregg Doyel agreed was among those who thought Williams went too far.

"Given who he is and what he does -- he's a caddie, for crying out loud -- Stevie Williams put on one of the most narcissistic displays I've ever seen in professional sports," Doyel writes.

Stricker was more diplomatic.

"This is all media driven. The media is looking for a story here," he said. "I don't know the whole situation. I've heard two different stories, and I don't know which one is the real story. But, obviously, he was upset to the point that he said what he did in front of everybody. That's his right."

Woods also played at Firestone, his first tournament in three months, and finished 18 shots behind Scott. That only added to Williams' glee.

"Stevie was obviously hurt. He gave his all to Tiger for 13 years," said Nick Faldo, who will be an analyst on CBS' broadcast of the PGA Championship. "I'm sure there was an element to that where he was saying, `Hey, look what I've just done, mate.' I know Stevie is getting praise and criticism, both ways. That's kind of normal for him. That's Stevie."

[blindersoff]

So if I give my "all to a company for 13 years" they can never fire me? GOOD! That's a relief in this economy. Not excusing anything Tiger did, but the caddie had an amazing opportunity and was able to find another amazing opportunity after that. He should be grateful and move on. If I were Adam Scott though, I'd probably fire him.

[newsworthy8]

Partner, you just cut your own throat. You will eat them words down the road, Scott isn't that good, and you either.

[greensboro78]

Williams can't help it. The fact that he was Tiger Woods caddie is what took attention away from Scotty.

[wlhoppers]

Talk about a poor sport. Tiger Woods doesn't (and didn't ) owe Williams anything. Williams was paid, handsomely I'm sure, for his job as Wood's caddie. It's not like he labored for free, supporting Woods till he hit the big time. No, he was there, riding Tiger's coattails and benefitting all the way. Then Williams lost his coveted job, just like so many people have, and he turns into a drama queen.

What a horrible role model.

[MrSpace]

I like the way williams said it was "the best win I've ever had"...really sounds like he thinks he is an essential part of the victory. Caddie's play an important role in professional tournaments but they are in no way responsible for the victory. Have you ever heard a trainer for a professional team say it was "his greatest win"? Steve you didn't win the tournament, Adam won the tournament, you were there to support and aid in his play. The real issue is why would they put the microphone in his face to begin with.....they wanted him to say something that they could write about....

[whosaid1]

"the best win I've ever had" ....really !!??? I'ts already been said,..but it's worth saying again.....HE's JUST A CADDIE!!!!...we wouldn't know who he was had Woods not employed him for so many years.

[wlhoppers]

So true

[Harden_Tar]

Pure bush league from the Caddie. Show some class.

[credibility2]

This guy had every right to do an in your face Tiger bit. I'm glad Tiger lost and Adam won. And, yes, the caddy can make all the difference in a win and Williams sealed the deal. Too bad Tiger may have been "offended". Now the world of golf has to deal with this PC crap? Annoying. Rub it more into Tiger's miserable face...he definitely deserves it for what he did to Williams.

[meshine]

People really do need to get real about this. How many caddies can you golf boffs name? Tiger deserves what for what he did to Williams? What he did for Williams was kept him employed for 13 years, made him a household name, and above all made him a multi millionaire. Yeah he go fired but is he the first caddy to get fired? I doubt it. If not for the talents of Tiger Woods, Williams would still be just another poor broke unknown caddy. A caddy might have a word of advice for a player during a tournament but it's the player that's making the shots. Williams needs to realize that he was lucky enough to hook up with another top golfer in Adam Scott but he will never achieve the success that he was lucky enough to be apart of while working for Woods.

[wlhoppers]

Tiger fired Williams because he thought he needed better direction from his caddie. Isn't that part of the game? Williams is acting like a three-year-old who's had his candy taken away.